The 70 – 200 is one of the most poplar lenses on the market. It offers great quality at a good price. In South Africa the wildlife tends to be closer and many of the subjects will be in range of this lens. I also add a +1.4x or +2.0x teleconverter. My 2nd camera body is rigged with a 300mm lens to get those large herds and distance shots in Kruger National Park. Birding would be the only reason I would consider packing a longer lens. In fact, if I had to choose just one lens for a safari, it would be my 70 – 200.

I also love working with this lens because of its reasonable weight (1.7 lbs) which together with my medium weight 5D MK3 allows me to hand hold if I need to. In safari vehicles I a monopod as support.

I have combed through my collection of safari photos and pulled out this range of photos all taken with my beloved Canon 70 – 200mm

Detail of a leopard tailMature elephant breaks apart a stick to get tasty bitszebra fightA leopard bounds up a tree shaking loose leavesGiraffe with typical South African Savannah in the backgroundlion cub plays in the afternoon lightHyena cubsLion cubs play while mother and aunt watchfemale lions greet each otherJuvenile lion makes for a nice textured imageBaby white rhino with motherCheetah cubsGreater Kudu feedingElephants in Krugera cheetah turns its back to us in typical cat fashion, but gives a short glance backYoung elephant and mother enjoying the waterFleeing impala